Hi Reader! It's your favourite travel newsletter for one last time in 2025! The Going Awesome Places team would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! It's been a pleasure to be part of your inbox for the past year. Thank you 🥰!

✈️ In this issue:

• 🐅🦏🦓🐆🐘🐃🐊 Safaris on points

If you haven't yet, make sure to check out the latest on our social channels: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Safari's You Can Get With Points

The wonder of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat has been on my mind lately as we plan for 2026. The idea of using points on a safari isn't naturally what you think of in terms of aspirational properties but if you think about it, why not?

Not only do many of these properties include game-drive and safari activities, you're also getting all your meals and drinks included so you could say, the value of these is astronomically high.

We were lucky enough to be able to do our first safari in South Africa, and Kruger National Park more specifically for our honeymoon. We split our time between being in the national park itself and also a private game reserve with our stay at Elephant Plains in Sabi Sands (read our review).

If you haven't yet, think about signing up for the American Express Marriott Bonvoy card in Canada to start building up. Get 60,000 points (make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months).

In the US, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card gets you instant Diamond Status and is another great way to take advantage of sign-up bonuses. For a limited time until Jan 14, 2026, get 175,000 points (make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months).

Marriott

They have an impressive line up of safari camps and lodges and most offer full-board dining, bush meals, and daily game drives. Expect that it'll cost a pretty penny when it comes to using Marriott Bonvoy points but if you have a large stash, this is an incredible way to use them.

• ​The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp, Tanzania (all-inclusive)
• ​JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, Tanzania (all-inclusive)
• ​Mapito Safari Camp, Serengeti, Autograph Collection, Tanzania (all-inclusive)
• ​JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, Kenya (Opening June 2026)
• ​Leopard Sands, Kruger National Park, South Africa (all-inclusive if you book a safari package)
• ​Protea Hotel Lusaka Safari Lodge, Zambia (game drives are extra)
• ​Protea Hotel Zambezi River Lodge, Zambia (honourable mention near Victoria Falls)
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Hilton

As much as you'd think Hilton would have a big presence but the only one they have is this resort at the edge of Yala National Park with a chance to catch a glimpse of the Sri Lankan leopard on safari. Safari's are at an extra cost here.

• ​Hilton Yala Resort, Sri Lanka​

Hyatt

Thanks to the new Mr & Mrs Smith partnership, you can now book these 15 safari camps in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania with World of Hyatt points. Conversely, you can also earn points if you stay here. All stays are all-inclusive, include game drives and walking safaris (if available).

• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Erebero Hills, Uganda​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Naboisho Camp, Kenya​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Rekero Camp, Kenya​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Kenya​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Dunia Camp, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Jabali Ridge, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Namiri Plains, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Olakira Migration Camp, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Oliver's Camp, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smtih Roho ya Selous, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Rubondo Island Camp, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Sayari Camp, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Ubuntu Migration Camp, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith Usangu Expedition Camp, Tanzania​
• ​Mr & Mrs Smith The Highlands, Tanzania​
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Radisson

If you're thinking about Kruger National Park, this may be a great option to pair with there. Being in Hoedspruit means that you're close to the Panorama Route. This includes sights such as the Three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and Berlin Falls. We did this route as a day in between Elephant Plains and Kruger and stayed at Mulberry Lane.

• ​Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, South Africa (game drives are extra)

Accor

Thanks to bands such as Fairmont, Mantis, and now Banyan Tree, Accor has an impressive line-up of properties that could be worth spending your ALL Accor Live Limitless points on.

• ​Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Kenya (all-inclusive)
• ​Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Kenya (a-la-carte)
• ​Ubuya, Banyan Tree Escape, Tanzania (Opening April 2026, all-inclusive)
• ​Founders Lodge by Mantis, South Africa (need to book all-inclusive rate)
• ​Mantis Hiddn by Mantis, South Africa (Opening March 2026, all-inclusive)
• ​Feline Fields by Mantis, Botswana (all-inclusive)
• ​Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, Rwanda (half-board available)
• ​Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis, Namibia (river safari, all-inclusive)
• ​Zambezi Queen by Mantis, Namibia (luxury houseboat, all-inclusive)
• ​The Chobe Princesses by Mantis, Namibia (luxury houseboat, all-inclusive)

Four Seasons

For ultra-luxury, this is your sanctuary in the savannah and a unique opportunity. However, Four Seasons doesn't have a traditional points-based loyalty program so you'll have to find the budget for this.

• ​Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania (everything a-la-carte unless you book the Essential Serengeti with Daily Game Drives package which is all-inclusive)

Noticeably absent is Intercontinental which has properties in Africa but all of them are in the major city centres.

Now that you've seen the full list, is there any of these that catch your eye?

💸 Last Minute Deals

Now that we're post BFCM and Boxing Day, the deals are winding down but there are still a few that you can still take advantage of.

• Homes & Villas: Get 2x Points for stays between Feb 1 – Sept 30, 2026. Book from now until Feb 1, 2026.
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• Klook: Save up to 50% on locations around the world including Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, UK, and US. The offers are valid for redemption from December 12, 2025, to February 1, 2026,
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• GetYourGuide: Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES5 on the GYG app to save 5% when booking experiences on GetYourGuide
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• Tinggly: Save 20% on Tinggly experience travel gifts. Expires Jan 11, 2026.
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• Insta360: Their holiday sale is still live and runs until January 2, 2026.
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• GoCity: Enjoy an additional 10% off on all New York and London Passes using code: HOLIDAY. All other cities will be 5% discount using the same code.

To get notified of all travel deals we discover, go to our deals group on Facebook. It's free to join!

✏️What's New on the Site

In case you're not subscribed to our "let us know whenever you publish something new" list, here are our new posts. We aim to publish posts twice a week so if you subscribe you are always kept in the loop!

☝️ What's Next at Going Awesome Places

With 2026 on the horizon, we've been working on travel and project plans and one of our biggest trips of the year actually happens in January. We're going back to in some ways where a lot of the blog started.

Not knowing what we were doing, I created a walkthrough video and wrote multiple breakdown articles. It's been 11 years and with some strategic maneuvering of Hilton Honors points and Diamond Status, we're headed back!

Things are shaping up to be an exciting year and we can't share with all of you how it all goes!

🍪 Travel Tidbits

Here's the latest from the industry with a few articles that we think you'll enjoy.
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• ​Rideshare trick to save you money: Something we already naturally do but a good reminder to always check both apps!
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• ​Beware of Booking scam: Make sure you know about this so you don't get scammed.
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• ​Best ski destination in the world: Not surprised about this one and gives us even more reason to make this trip happen one of these days.
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• ​What's new at Disneyland and Disney World in 2026: Changes big and small are happening including Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run being reimagined with the Mandalorian and Grogu.
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• ​Seven travel trends that will define 2026: Data from the world's leading travel trend forecasters suggests that 2026 will be the year of quiet escapes, algorithm-shaped itineraries, ultra-personalised retreats and a return to slower, more intentional travel.
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• ​The Indigenous tribes reclaiming travel: Native and First Nation tourism is booming across North America, and part of what's propelling this trend is the conversion of ancient trails into modern biking, hiking and rafting routes.
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• ​Is Thailand and Cambodia safe?: With the latest news from the border region of the two country, this article is a good read if you're heading there soon.
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• ​Foodies pay attention: This is a list of the best cities to eat in 2026.

Happy New Years!

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What are your travel resolutions for 2026? Big or small, are there specific goals or bucket list items you're hoping to hit up? Reply to this e-mail and let us know!

Cheers,

Will

Your Chief of Awesome

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